UK Government Acquires Journaliste by Djofray Makumbu for National Collection

The UK government has acquired Journaliste (2023), a powerful mixed-media animation by British-Congolese artist Djofray Makumbu, for the nation’s public art collection, marking a major milestone in the artist’s rising career.

Djofray Makumbu, Journaliste, 2024,  Acrylic and ink on canvas, 92 × 122 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Bolanle Contemporary / Photography by Haiyi Wany.

The acquisition was made through the Government Art Collection (GAC), which selects and displays works of British art in government buildings both in the UK and internationally. The move reflects a growing institutional recognition of Makumbu’s distinctive voice and the urgency of his subject matter.

Blending hand-drawn animation, video, and sound, Journaliste explores the dangers faced by journalists reporting under oppressive regimes—particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where freedom of the press remains under constant threat. The work is both personal and political, fusing Makumbu’s signature visual storytelling with lived experience and documentary detail.

Makumbu, who was born in East London to Congolese parents, has garnered acclaim for his deeply expressive, socially engaged work. Often dealing with themes of power, resistance, mental health, and cultural identity, his practice draws from lived experience, street culture, and collective memory.

Speaking on the acquisition, a spokesperson for the Government Art Collection said:

“Makumbu’s work speaks to the power of animation as a tool for political commentary. With Journaliste, he sheds light on global issues that resonate both at home and abroad. It’s an important addition to the collection, and a testament to the diversity and depth of contemporary British art.”

The acquisition also signals a broader shift in UK cultural institutions toward platforming underrepresented voices and alternative forms of storytelling, particularly from diasporic and working-class perspectives.

Makumbu’s inclusion in the national collection places him alongside other notable British artists whose work has contributed to shaping the cultural and political narrative of the country. As his practice continues to evolve, Journalistestands as a potent reminder of the stakes of truth-telling—and the people who risk everything to do it.